Law enforcement leaders from across New York rallied behind Bruce Blakeman for governor Monday on his Nassau County home turf, portraying the Republican as the “common sense” alternative to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“This election is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about common sense,” Nassau Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin said outside the county’s Third Police Precinct in Williston Park.
“It’s time to save our state before we all have to move to Florida,” Shevlin added. “Bruce Blakeman can save our state. He will make this the safest state in the country, just like he did here in this county.”
Shevlin was joined by representatives of the Nassau County Corrections Benevolent Association, the Buffalo PBA, the United Coalition of Public Safety and Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood. Together, they promoted Blakeman as a proven leader capable of delivering statewide results similar to those they credit him with achieving in Nassau.
Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, has repeatedly described the Long Island county as “the safest county in America” during his campaign. He points to a more than 25% decline in major crime since taking office in 2022.
If elected on Nov. 3, Blakeman has pledged to expand his crime-fighting agenda across New York. His proposals include appointing state parole board members committed to putting “community first” and keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
He has also said he would pardon former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who was sentenced to three years in prison after fatally throwing a plastic cooler at a drug suspect fleeing an arrest.
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At Monday’s event, Blakeman accused Hochul of making New York less safe and warned of a “crisis on our hands” unless Albany reins in socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his left-wing agenda.
“Kathy Hochul won’t do that. We know she won’t do that because she’s in lockstep with him,” Blakeman said. “The 10 Commandments say, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ She changed it to ‘Thou shalt not steal — except in New York.’”
“People feel less safe in their communities because of Kathy Hochul’s policies,” Blakeman added. “All they do is make it easier for criminals to prey on our communities.”
Blakeman was not the only candidate to secure police support Monday. Hochul also received an endorsement, this time from the state’s largest police union.
“Governor Hochul has invested nearly $4 billion in public safety initiatives that have benefited police officers, law enforcement agencies, and communities throughout New York State,” New York State PBA President Chris Rola said in a statement.
“Her investments have resulted in a 10% reduction in index crimes, including a 60% decline in shooting-related deaths.”
Several police organizations have stayed out of the contest, however. The NYC PBA and other city law enforcement unions notably declined to endorse either candidate during this election cycle.
Hochul has held a consistent advantage over Blakeman with about a week remaining before the midterms. She leads by roughly 14 points, with support at approximately 55% compared with Blakeman’s 41%.